MAES News
December, 2003
- Message from MAES Director J. Ian Gray on MAES State Funding
- December Great Lakes Expo Features Strong Vegetable Education Program
- Three MAES Researchers Honored by Crop and Soil Science Societies
- MAES Faculty Members Earn Distinguished Professor Title
- MAES Scientists Write History of Michigan Forests
- Plant Science Greenhouses Rated Excellent in Safety Inspection
- Tucker Honored by Cook College
Message from MAES Director J. Ian Gray on MAES State Funding
As you may know, Gov. Granholm has toured the state hosting town hall meetings and asking state residents what to cut from the state budget to reduce the $920 million deficit. Two of the items on the potential cut list are "agriculture research," meaning funding for the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, and "Cooperative Extension Service," meaning Michigan Extension.
The MAES is working with constituent groups to contact legislators and the governor's office to make them aware of the breadth and depth of MAES research contributions to the state. While our name is the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, our research encompasses the work of more than 300 scientists in five colleges. MAES research focuses on food safety, nutrition, water quality, environmental remediation, forestry, children and communities, tourism and animal health in addition to production agriculture. This is a serious issue and we are responding as such. If agriculture research is eliminated from the state budget, it will eliminate the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station and devastate the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
If anyone has any questions about this issue, please feel free to contact my office at 517-355-0123.
December Great Lakes Expo Features Strong Vegetable Education Program
Growers will have the opportunity to learn from MAES researchers and MSU Extension educators at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo Dec. 9-11 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.
The Vegetable Area of Expertise Team has worked very hard to put together a strong program on vegetable crops. There will be 19 sessions specifically designed to address the needs and expectations of the vegetable industry (see schedule below). These sessions will look back at 2003 and previous seasons as well as to look forward. Due to large demand, all commodity sessions were maintained: asparagus, pickling cucumber, tomato, potato, pepper, vine crop, onion, carrot, sweet corn and celery. The organic program has been expanded to include a morning session and an afternoon session. A session on transplants production and another one on nutrient management (manure management) will also be offered. Some of the new sessions this year include viruses and vegetable production and precision agriculture.
For more information on the vegetable program, call Mathieu Ngouajio, MAES horticultural researcher, at 517-432-2241 or Tom Kalchik, MSUE agricultural and natural resources agent, at 517-432-4608 or visit the Expo's Web site: www.glexpo.com/highlights.php. For more information on attending the Expo call Hilary Morolla at 810-234-4126 or visit http://www.glexpo.com/.
Schedule
Tuesday, Dec. 9
9-11 a.m.: asparagus, pickling cucumber and tomato sessions.
2-4 p.m.: potato, pepper and vine crop session.
Wednesday,
Dec. 10
10 a.m.-Noon: vegetable transplant production, onion and carrot sessions.
2-4 p.m.: sweet corn, celery, precision agriculture, and viruses and
vegetable production sessions.
Thursday,
Dec. 11
10 a.m.-Noon: water use, nutrient management, IPM workshop, and organic
fruit and vegetable production sessions.
1-4 p.m.: organic vegetable production and pesticide recertification
test sessions.
Three MAES Scientists Honored by Crop and Soil Science Societies
In recognition of their contributions to research and teaching, three MAES crop and soil science researchers received honors and awards at the joint annual meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and the Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) in Denver, Nov. 2-6.
Paul Rieke, emeritus turfgrass management scientist, was presented the Fred V. Grau Turfgrass Science Award by the CSSA for significant career contributions in turfgrass science. An international authority on turfgrass, Rieke conducted innovative research on soil fertility and physical soil problems for turfgrass at MSU for more than 40 years. He also coordinated the turfgrass extension program and taught turfgrass and soils courses.
Douglas Buhler, chairperson of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, was named a CSSA Fellow for his career achievements and service to the community. Buhler's research focuses on the ecological and environmental aspects of weed management systems for agronomic crops and turfgrass systems. He is also a Fellow of the ASA and the North Central Weed Science Society.
G. Philip Robertson, crop and soil sciences researcher, was named a SSSA Fellow for his career achievements and service to the community. Robertson's teaching and research focus on agricultural ecology, particularly nitrogen biochemistry in agricultural landscapes and the mechanisms that regulate nitrogen retention and loss in field crop ecosystems. Robertson is the lead principal investigator on the Long-Term Ecological Research site at the Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners.
MAES Faculty Members Earn University Distinguished Professor Title
Three MAES scientists were among 10 MSU professors named University Distinguished Professors in recognition of their achievements in the classroom, laboratory and community.
This is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a faculty member by the university. Those selected for the title have been recognized nationally and usually internationally for the importance of their teaching, research and public service achievements.
Individuals holding the professorship receive a stipend of $5,000 per year for five years to support professional activities.
The MAES researchers honored are:
Jack R Harkema, pathobiology and diagnostic investigation scientist. Harkema's primary research interests are in the understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms related to airway cell injury and repair. He is the co-director of the Collaborative Air Research Effort (CARE), a project that seeks to identify air pollutants and their health effects.
John B. Ohlrogge, plant biology scientist. His research focuses on lipid metabolism in plants and has provided many key insights into the biochemical mechanisms that regulate plant fatty acid metabolism. He and his students apply this knowledge to produce novel plants with improved nutritional qualities or useful commercial traits.
Michael F. Thomashow, crop and soil sciences and microbiology and molecular genetics scientist. Thomashow is internationally recognized for his work on the molecular mechanisms of cold acclimation in plants. In 2001 he was awarded the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Award and in 2003 he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences. He also is director of the NASA Center for Genomic and Evolutionary Studies on Microbial Life at Low Temperatures.
MAES Scientists Write History of Michigan Forests
In 1871, wildfires that practically dwarf the recent California fires swept through much of Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois, charring millions of acres of forests, killing thousands of people and nearly wiping out the Midwest's largest city - Chicago.
A new book written by two MAES forestry scientists takes a comprehensive look at the history of Michigan's forests, including the devastating fires of the late 19th century, as well as the ecology, management and economic importance of today's woods.
Professors Donald Dickmann and Larry Leefers originally planned to write "The Forests of Michigan" as a textbook for the forestry course they teach, but quickly decided this was information anyone interested in Michigan's forests could use.
"There is really no book out there that puts together the whole story of Michigan's forests," Dickmann said. "It's written in a non-technical style, designed for a wide audience."
In fewer than 300 pages, the authors present a comprehensive history of the state's forests. It begins nearly 14,000 years ago when a half-mile thick sheet of ice covered what would become Michigan, and ends today, a time in which proper management is actually adding to the amount of forests that cover Michigan.
"The history here is somewhat unique, especially when you consider the magnitude of the disturbances that have occurred here, including logging and fires," Dickmann said.
It was in the autumn of 1871 that what became known as the Great Michigan Fire moved quickly through the state, destroying millions of acres of woods and wiping out towns such as Glen Haven, Holland and Manistee.
Even East Lansing's Michigan Agricultural College - now, of course, MSU - was threatened. The authors recounted the efforts made to save the school.
"Excused from the afternoon worship services, crews of young men from the college were formed, under the leadership of Drs. Robert Kedzie and Manly Miles. They staved off flames approaching through the surrounding forest by working in relays throughout several long days and nights. By Tuesday evening the fires were under control and the campus was saved. The students were rewarded by the faculty with an oyster dinner."
"The Forests of Michigan" also focuses on the economic impact of the woods. Between lumbering, recreation and businesses such as the selling of Christmas trees, Michigan's forests represent a multi-million dollar industry.
"There are a lot of wood-using industries in this state, including paper and furniture," Leefers said. "Wood is still a very important raw material and creates a lot of jobs and economic prosperity."
"The Forests of Michigan" offers a number of beautiful, full-color photographs, as well as historic black-and-white shots, charts and plat maps.
The book was published by the University of Michigan Press.
Plant Science Greenhouses Rated Excellent in Safety Inspection
The Plant Science Greenhouse Complex and Manager Dave Freville were commended by the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety for excellence in safety in November. The inspectors noted improvements in the large storage barn and housekeeping that have made the area safer for everyone who uses the facility.
"This is nice recognition for Dave Freville, who does an excellent job of overseeing the facility," said Gary Lemme, MAES associate director. "Many researchers use the greenhouses and Dave makes sure everything runs smoothly."
Tucker Honored by Cook College
H. Allen Tucker, MAES emeritus animal science researcher, has been honored with the Dennis Fenton Graduate Alumni Award from the Cook College Alumni Association at Rutgers University. The award is given to alumni for outstanding accomplishments in his or her professional, civic or volunteer work, which reflects the dignity and distinction on Cook College at Rutgers.
